Page:Mennonite Handbook of Information 1925.djvu/112

 that curse you; do good to them that hate you; and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you, that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 5:44,45). "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good" (Rom. 12:18-21). And now that the nations have returned to the pursuits of peace we believe that our brethren should continue to apply the principles of peace and nonresistance to all their activities; in business, by seeking not their own but every man another's welfare; in dealing with those at variance with us, by rendering good for evil under all conditions; in the reconstruction of devastated lands and their rehabilitation and any constructive or relief measure helpful to man, by rendering assistance in men and money; in every walk of life manifesting the spirit of love and good will toward all men.

The experience of the past few years has brought about a change in the minds of many with reference to maintaining a large army and making military training compulsory and universal. This, according to our faith, would require of us service which, we believe, would involve the violation of a principle of the Gospel of Christ whose teachings we regard as our rule of life and conduct.

We are conscious of the consideration our government has given to those men who on account of their religious convictions and faith could not serve in the military establishment, and now in the event that military training and service become universal and compulsory, we humbly plead that such provisions be made in the law that we may be exempted from military training and service.

We recommend that this General Conference appoint a standing committee of five brethren whose duty it shall be